They had just returned from traveling out to villages and places spreading his word and even performing miracles and healings in his name.
The kingdom of God that Jesus was bringing forth had feet under it as the disciples extended the Good News and preached the Word to all.
They had just recounted their travels and were filled with the spirit. It must have been an awe inspiring gathering with the disciples excited and Jesus now viewing his disciples, perhaps like a master carpenter craftsman or other tradesman sees his student who made his first furniture or first creation. But these were hearts of men in which they were enlightening so that the light of Christ now shone in their families and towns.
His mission had taken a giant step and Jesus thanked the Father, and the Spirit consumed them all that day. I am certain it was a singular event in the disciples lives they would never forget.
We too are called to work in the mission of Jesus Christ. We receive his Word and learn the teachings of Christ. We integrate that teaching into our life and ask the Holy Spirit to fill our hearts. So that they may be no longer hard but pliable and able to understand and love more.
And we begin to understand the love our God has for us, and we are changed by it and how we look at the world changes.
How we interact changes. Anxiety begins to take a back seat to a calm peace in the Lord.
And then we are called to be Jesus for others. To show them his reflection in our work and words and actions. Once we are fed his Spirit, we are sent out to help others so they too can have that moment when they no longer see the world in drab monotones without the rich color of God’s love for us. Before, not understanding how we fit into the world but now seeing how much we are truly valued by the Father, Now we are eager and desperate to tell others so they know his love also and live according to his commandments. And the chaos of our world makes more sense, and we are no longer alone and seeking what’s in it for me but realize we are children of God and we are being offered everything good and are never alone.
Many will get stuck though. They will hear the Word but cannot let go of the world. So, they stop before the Spirit is able to be part of their hearts and world. And they are still living by chasing the offerings of the world while also struggling, as they try to open the door of wisdom and love… and they are stuck.
They have to let go of the world and anything they prefer to God. But once they do, they find a peace and joy and love unknown before. For the closer we get to God the greater our love grows for Him, but also for those around us. The married couples love for each other reaches new heights when they both love God as the highest priority.
Which is what many don’t realize; that by loving God with all our strength we end up able to love others more than we ever dreamed of before.
Like the disciples, who went out to teach others, we share our faith with brothers and sisters not out of commitment or obligation, but out of love and awareness of how rich life is living for Christ now.
We get to choose how we want to live and who comes first in our life. But that choice changes everything.
Deacon Tony Pynes 
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